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I love down on their spirits Madrid media.

LaLiga Santander no longer matters because of Barcelona

It's curious to see how the league championship in Spain has lost significance for certain sectors of the football world in recent times. The only thing that is worth anything now, apparently, is to win the Champions League. It's understandable that this current thought has gained strength because LaLiga Santander has become a private land owned by Barcelona.

Seven of the last 10 championships belong to the Blaugrana, with that soon to be eight of the last 11. It's a run of dominance so overwhelming that it has only served to diminish interest in the competition, or at least that's what those who lose it say.

Last season, Ernesto Valverde's players were one step away from winning the title without losing a single match. This year the championship has all but been decided by March. Their superiority is clear. As much as the Champions League is hugely important, something which nobody doubts, Pep Guardiola described it best when he said league titles demand a team to be good for 10 months of the year. Domestic championships reward consistency. The team that has been the best for the longest period wins the league. It's as simple as that.

That consistency is made up of several factors: having the ability to overcome difficult moments during the season, win at difficult stadiums, overcoming complacency in home matches, not letting injury problems derail your campaign and withstanding pressure when the rivals are closing in on you.

It is in these areas where Barcelona are the best. They have been for the last decade and their winning record shows as much. LaLiga Santander has lost value because Barcelona have turned their triumphs into an almost annual event, and that is tremendously difficult for others to take.